LCD : Computer Hardware Buyers’ Glossary

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Laptops use a
flat panel screen that works much like the display on a digital watch. The problems
with LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displaies)
are washout if there is high ambient light and viewing angle. Sometimes you have to
look at the screen from just the right angle to see the display. Technology is
gradually solving these problems, but it still has a way to go to match the
brightness of the old CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) technology or the expensive gas plasma technology. It
won’t be too much longer till you can panel your desk with
LCDs
to form a giant wrap-around screen or wear a headset that gives the same effect. High
end users get the effect with three monitors on their desk and a video card to make
them behave like on giant screen. Other than much lower power consumption, the other
big advantage of LCDs
over CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes)
is lack of flicker. This lets you read much faster. Flicker distracts the eye and
causes it to unconsciously dart about looking for predators.
CRTs
are pretty much gone now.

Make sure you adjust the monitor placement so your eye stares straight into the
center of the screen and the up-down and left-right tilt is adjusted so the screen
is perfectly perpendicular to your line of sight. If it is off, the colours will
not be correct and the screen will not be as bright or clear as it could be.

Connections

LCD
monitors come in old analog and new digital style. Some support both with two
connectors, a VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) and a DVI-D (Digital Video Interface — Data)
or rarely with an integrated DVI-I (Digital Video Interface — Integrated)
connector. Analog is supported with the old
VGA connector or
an integrated DVI-I
connector. Digital monitors are supported with a digital-only
DVI-D
connector or an integrated DVI-I
connector. Make sure your computer and monitor match.